Microclimate processes characterization of the giant Geode of Pulpí (Almería, Spain): technical criteria for conservation

Abstract

The giant Geode of Pulpí (Almería, Spain) can be considered as one of the most significant recent mineralogical discoveries in terms of geological heritage. Any tourist exploitation of this mining environment should be sustainable, and the first step is to determine the feasibility of opening the interior of the geode to visitors. To achieve this objective it was necessary to characterize the variation of physical parameters of the air and rock (gypsum crystals) during monitored visits, similar to the hypothetical visits that would occur if the geode were opened to the public. The main environmental impact of a continuous presence of people inside the geode is condensation on the surface of the gypsum crystals as a result of increased temperature and water vapor caused by respiration. The phenomenon of condensation on the gypsum crystals begins to occur with visits of two or three people for longer than 10 min. Condensation on the crystal surface brought about by this human presence could lead to the corrosion of the crystals. The total recovery time required after a visit of this type to resume the initial natural thermal and humidity conditions was 27 h. The results obtained from the environmental monitoring of the geode suggest that it is not feasible to allow visits inside it because of the mechanical impact of the visitors on the crystals and of the risk of condensation of water vapor.

Speleoclimate dynamics in Santana Cave (PETAR, São Paulo State, Brazil): general characterization and implications for tourist management

“…In some fragile caves, such as Lascaux Cave in France (Bastian & Alabouvette, 2009) and the geode of Pulpí, Spain (Fernández-Cortés et al, 2006a), tourist activity is completely prohibited. At Lascaux Cave, tourism is prohibited to protect the rock paintings, whereas at the geode of Pulpí, tourism is banned to avoid the deterioration of the unstable minerals in this very small cave.…”

“…All environmental parameters are important to understand to protect a cave and alleviate the effects of tourism, but there are limitations to complete analyses, and investigations must prioritize the speleoclimate data (Hoyos et al, 1998, Sánchez-Moral et al, 1999, Calaforra et al, 2003, Fernández-Cortés et al, 2006a.…”

Caracterização e tendências de gestão dos impactos negativos e positivos do espeleoturismo

“…Problemas desta natureza foram demonstrados por Sánchez-Moral et al (1999). O calor gerado pelo corpo também pode ser prejudicial para os casos de cavernas que abrigam minerais instáveis ou sensíveis, como observado no geodo gigante de Pulpí, também na Espanha (Fernández-Cortés, Calaforra, Sánchez-Martos, & Gisbert, 2006). Adicionalmente, o uso de iluminação durante a visitação pode ampliar o problema do aquecimento, tanto no caso das fontes móveis de luz (lanternas e carbureteiras) quanto para as luzes fixas (instaladas na caverna).…”

In situ Raman characterization of minerals and degradation processes in a variety of cultural and geological heritage sites

“…Remarkably, some caves host both relevant geological and archeological features that lead cave managers and authorities to maximize preservation measures. The restrictive policies for material sampling and the impossibility of remaining for long periods in these subterranean environments, due to visitor perturbations on microclimate [11], are in direct contrast with the need to characterize the composition and origin of the elements that are subject to protection.…”